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Murray Korngold Obituary
January 1, 1920 - January 16, 2017
Murray Korngold, a pioneer in clinical psychology, died at his San Francisco home on January 16 at the age of 97. Korngold was a seeker and activist who fought injustice, studied voraciously, and explored consciousness and healing. Murray's friends were culture-makers like Marlon Brando, R.D. Laing, Aldous Huxley, Huey Newton, Doris Lessing, Gene Kelly, Ida Rolf, Fritz Perls, Arthur Janov, Bob Hoffman, Rupert Sheldrake, Ruben 'Jitu' Williams, Peter Coyote, and Geoff Hoyle.Born in Krakow, Poland in 1920, Korngold's family settled in Detroit in 1922. He earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology at UCLA in 1953. In 1958, Korngold lobbied the California Legislature to license clinical psychologists. In 1976, Korngold was amongst the first acupuncturists to be licensed in California.
Murray Korngold is survived by his son Efrem Korngold and daughter-in-law Harriet Beinfield of San Francisco; his grandchildren Natasha Korngold Feldthouse, Shem Korngold, and Bear Korngold; great grandchildren Trianna Feldthouse, Amaranta Korngold, and Mira Blue Korngold; and his long-time companion, Patricia Holland.
A memorial will be held on Sunday February 19, 2017 from 2 PM to 5 PM at Amado's Theatre Space, 998 Valencia Street, San Francisco.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Murray Korngold
5 Entries
Greg Brodsky
February 3, 2023
We still miss you,Murray.
Linda Xyz
September 24, 2017
I will never forget my years with Murray, having both the honor to clean his home and edit his book, "First Draft."
He was the wisest person I have ever known.
He counseled me, my husband and I, my grandson, my daughter. He taught tapping techniques that helped me release some old burdens.
I have checked the obits on SFGate for years, knowing this day of learning of his passing would come, but always hoping I would have time before the inevitability to go back high on Bernal Hill to get another signed copy of the book, as I loaned mine out and didn't get it back.
I cherish every moment I got to spend in his presence. I loved him as a father and send love and condolences to all his relations.
alan steinbach
February 15, 2017
Wow! A very large tree falls in the forest!
I met Murray when he drove a borrowed convertible into The Ranch having blown out a tire on Black Bear Summit. There were sparks flying from the totally trashed wheel.
Murray said there was no spare so he just kept on driving.
I asked if he was worried about the damage.
He said, as I remember, " I just asked myself, 'Do I serve the wheel, or does the wheel serve me?'
What a teacher!!
Sheila Ben-Hur
February 12, 2017
Murray had been my Brother in Law, married to my sister, Reshella, prior to her passing away. At one time he was my father figure, my hero and bigger than life. I remember him sitting in a large, comfortable chair in the den, reading a book, with a symphony turned on high and blasting in the room. Upon my siste'rs passing, he moved on with his life and I with mine. We reconnected, over coffee at my home in Lake Arrowhead, when he and my nephew Efrem came to visit, maybe three years ago. We shared a few memories as well as where our lives had taken us and once again, went our separate ways. Sheila Ben-Hur
February 12, 2017
Dear Efrem, Harriet, and family,
Our heartfelt condolences on Murray's passing. After not seeing him for years, he continues to be a voice of wisdom and perspective in our hearts and minds. I loved he sound of his laughter, and the pleasure he took at making people laugh. May he enjoy an eternity of humor and peace.
Ching and Greg Brodsky
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